AirTran Airways Announces Order for Six Boeing 717 Aircraft

May 18, 2004 05:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ORLANDO, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2004--AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:AAI), today announced that the airline has finalized an agreement for six more Boeing 717 airplanes to be delivered in 2005. The six aircraft represent the exercise of four options and firm orders for two additional aircraft, and the announcement comes only a few weeks before AirTran Airways accepts delivery of the first of 100 new Boeing 737-700 aircraft. AirTran Airways already operates the youngest all-Boeing fleet in the United States, currently flying 76 Boeing 717s with an average age of three years.

"The Boeing 717 is the cornerstone of our operation," said Joe Leonard, AirTran Airways' chairman and chief executive officer. "Since we became the launch customer for this aircraft, the 717 has delivered unparalleled efficiency, reliability, maintenance and fuel cost advantages," he added.

"The Boeing 717 is a proven market development aircraft. We're confident that these new aircraft will produce consistent operating results, building on the efficiency and reliability of our fleet, thus reducing our costs and allowing us to pass the savings on to our customers," said Robert L. Fornaro, president and chief operating officer. He added, "In fact we estimate the Boeing 717 to be 24 percent more fuel efficient than our previous aircraft."

The Boeing 717-200 was designed specifically for short-haul, high-frequency routes and offers low acquisition, trip and maintenance costs. AirTran Airways' 717 aircraft accommodates 117 passengers and offers 12 Business Class seats, spacious EasyFit overhead bins and 100 percent fresh air circulated throughout the cabin. The 717's BR715 engine was specifically developed by Rolls Royce to make the quietest and most environmentally friendly airplane in its class while not compromising power.

"The numbers that AirTran Airways has achieved with the Boeing 717 speak for themselves. The airplane's reliability, environmental advantages and fuel efficiency are unmatched among aircraft in its class," said Jim Phillips, Boeing 717 vice president and general manager. "AirTran Airways was the 717's launch customer. They began seeing operational and financial improvements as soon as they introduced the 717 into the fleet. This is a dynamic partnership that will continue for years to come," he stated.

AirTran Airways is one of America's largest low-fare airlines - employing more than 5,600 professional Crew Members and operating 531 flights a day to 45 destinations. The airline's hub is at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world's busiest airport by passenger volume, where it is the second largest carrier operating 197 flights per day. For reservations or more information, visit airtran.com (America Online Keyword: AirTran).

Editor's note: Statements regarding the Company's operational and financial success, business model, expectation about future success, improved operational performance and our ability to maintain or improve our low costs are forward-looking statements and are not historical facts. Instead, they are estimates or projections involving numerous risks or uncertainties, including but not limited to, consumer demand and acceptance of services offered by the Company, the Company's ability to maintain current cost levels, fare levels and actions by competitors, regulatory matters and general economic conditions. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in the Company's SEC filings, including but not limited to the Company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003. The Company disclaims any obligation or duty to update or correct any of its forward-looking statements.